Response to paclitaxel and carboplatin in metastatic salivary gland cancer: a case report

BACKGROUND: Malignant tumors of the salivary gland are rare entities that are treated primarily by surgical resection. For patients with recurrent or unresectable disease, options include radiation therapy or chemotherapy; however, responses are few and of short duration. Patients with metastatic disease have been treated with chemotherapy, but, again, response rates have been low and of short duration. METHODS: A 52-year-old man was seen with a mass on his tongue. A biopsy revealed adenocarcinoma of a minor salivary gland. Ten months after surgical resection, neck dissection, and radiation therapy, the patient was found to have metastatic disease to the lung. Chemotherapy was initiated with carboplatin and paclitaxel. RESULTS: The patient obtained a complete response after six cycles of carboplatin and paclitaxel. CONCLUSIONS: The use of carboplatin and paclitaxel in the setting of metastatic salivary gland cancer is a viable option.